Dolores Siebold, age 96, of Schaumburg, Illinois, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2026, at her home in Encore Village—surrounded by the quiet legacy of a life defined by devotion, grace, and strength.

She was born on March 22, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, to Barney and Edna Bialk, and was named after Dolores del Rio, her mother’s favorite Hollywood starlet. Her father served as a Chicago police officer during the turbulent era of Al Capone, while her mother, Edna, devoted herself to raising the family with care and resilience—qualities Dolores would later embody throughout her own life.

From an early age, Dolores displayed a rare and unmistakable gift for music, nurturing dreams of becoming an opera singer. That promise was evident when, at just 10 years old, she performed a solo on stage at Lane Tech High School before an audience of more than 1,000 people—a moment that hinted at a future that might have been, and a talent that never faded. She continued to share her love of music throughout her life, singing at Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, the church she and Walter helped build in the late 1950s and 1960s.

At 16, Dolores made a defining choice—leaving high school to care for her ailing mother. It was an act of quiet sacrifice that revealed the depth of her character and foreshadowed a lifetime of putting others before herself. She later worked for RCA as a window model, where her poise and presence drew customers into showrooms to see the new RCA 630TS model during the early days of television’s rise in American homes in the post WWII 1940’s.

In 1950, she married Walter Carl Siebold, co-owner of Siebold & Sons, a Chicago-based masonry firm, beginning a partnership that would span 61 years. Together, they built a life rooted in family, stability, and enduring love. Dolores became the heart of that home—revered by those who knew her for her kindness, generosity, and unmistakable warmth.

She found joy in the simple, meaningful rhythms of life. An avid tennis player, she also served as bookkeeper at River Trails Tennis Center in Mt. Prospect, where her reliability and spirit made her a beloved presence. Yet her greatest pride and deepest fulfillment came from raising her four sons: Ken (Diane), Jim (Mel), Bill (Kathy), and Steve (Dawn).

Dolores is survived by her four sons, five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, three nephews, and two nieces. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Walter, who passed away in 2011.

When asked the secret to a happy life, Dolores answered with the simplicity and wisdom that defined her: “Be friendly and be kind. Kindness is very important.”

Though her voice may have left the stage long ago, the love she gave so freely will echo through generations.

A private gathering for immediate family will be held in May at Itasca Country Club.

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